What does it look like to make a difference – make a real difference in the lives of others? Imagine stepping away from all that is familiar, all that is comfortable in order to reach those in greatest need with personalized emotional, spiritual, and practical support in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere?

In September 2010, Shannon Miller did just that as she followed her calling and was commissioned to serve as a fulltime representative of Orchard Hill in the nation of Haiti. This commitment expanded the reach of the Eleos Haiti ministry to maintain both a consistent and personalized ministry presence in a country overcome with poverty, strife, and spiritual darkness.

On Wednesday, December 28, supporters of Eleos Haiti gathered to hear directly from Shannon to learn the amazing ways that God is currently at work to change the spiritual landscape in the Cap Haitien region of Haiti. KidsFest Haiti provided the springboard for continued ministry in this region. In its second year, Shannon facilitated the success of KidsFest Haiti, with over 500 campers and 75 Haitian leaders experiencing a week-long summer day-camp. The week culminated on Sunday morning as over 1,800 children and adults came from the local villages to worship in Creole and hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their native language. 96 people professed first-time faith in Jesus Christ during this week at KidsFest Haiti 2011.

The work of KidsFest Haiti continues year round as over 200 people meet weekly for follow-up discipleship. As a result, the ministry has expanded beyond the individual work of Shannon to the ministry team she recruited with 7 paid Haitians and more than 15 Haitian volunteers. Along with weekly discipleship, this team carries out a ministry of evangelism to the local villages.

Ministry at both the IDADEE and EBAC orphanages is also supported with practical assistance as well as a focus on the spiritual development of kids, primarily through discipleship small groups taking place at EBAC. And support to the children continues beyond the orphanage. Through Shannon's evaluation and accountability, 35 children have been placed in schools and 3 more into the university system. This unprecedented number of placements will give these students skills that can lead them to a life of learning and self-sufficiency.

And the work of this ministry extends to more than the orphanages. Shannon has initiated a micro loan program to help Haitians start new business ventures and become self-sufficient. She also guides the work teams from Orchard Hill to coordinate details for the work projects while teams are on-site.

Shannon is living close to those she is ministering to and the impact is significant. Dr. Kurt Bjorklund observes, "One of the things I've heard over and over from those who have been to Haiti in the last year is that the ministry God has given Shannon is really extraordinary."

Since the December event was hosted with relatively little cost, all of the proceeds from the evening will go directly to ministry support for Shannon during the first part of 2012. Whether or not you were able to attend this insightful update, anyone can participate in providing spiritual, emotional, and financial support to the children and adults in this impoverished country. If you have a heart for foreign ministry, particularly for making a difference in the nation of Haiti, contact the Eleos Haiti ministry. Financial gifts will directly support Shannon's ministry in Haiti and continue this unique, personalized approach to make a spiritual, emotional and practical difference in the lives of children and adults in Haiti.